[bluematador]

I seem to be on a downward spiral for the last two years with my Bipolar Disorder. I used to have long breaks between episodes. Now the episodes have become chronic. I take medication, practice mindfullness meditation, keep a strict routine, eat a healthy diet, go to the gym 5 days a week and practice somatics.Still I am up and down constantly. I would love hear stories of how others found stability. I am wiling to try anything. I have a beautiful daughter. I want to get off this roller caoster ride. I am concerned I won't be able to take care of her if this continues. I spent 6 weeks in the hospital in the last 6 months.

[BlackPup]

The biggest thing for me was finding meds that controlled my mania, I still get depressed now but I'm mostly stable. With the meds doing their job I didn't have to try so hard any more and was able to have a more normal life. I spent so really helpful tim in T looking at how I see myself and how I react to things and changed a few things there but mostly it was the meds stopping the major fluctuations.

[bluematador]

That has been the biggest challenge for me. So far none of the meds I have been on control my mania. The highs and lows have gotten worse in the last few years. I am on a new med. I hope it works. I am on three meds now for the mania.

Originally Posted by BlackPup

The biggest thing for me was finding meds that controlled my mania, I still get depressed now but I'm mostly stable. With the meds doing their job I didn't have to try so hard any more and was able to have a more normal life. I spent so really helpful tim in T looking at how I see myself and how I react to things and changed a few things there but mostly it was the meds stopping the major fluctuations.

[tcmoon52]

For me, I learned the hard way about exercise. I do everthing to extremes. I think it knocked out some of my meds. I constantly cycled. The thing that has worked best for me is a very simple life. I am at the other end of where you are. I have raised my daughters, and I am now on SSDI, so simplifing my life was quite easy. Probablly no help to you.

[Merlin]

I have found meds to be the keystone in my recovery, but, like an arch, other stones are necessary to remain stable (or recover.) Sleep hygiene is important, but I still stuggle with over or under-sleeping. I am getting better with diet, but still need to focus on it. I am finally exercising regularly and hopefully I will keep it up. Another very important thing for me is socializing. Some days I socialize mainly at work and others days I (also) get together with friends and family. Some days my socializing is here at PC (though I find that that is not enough in the longer term.) I also need to pursue goals based on my passions. It's a detailed formula, but it's worth it.

[argv]

Originally Posted by bluematador

That has been the biggest challenge for me. So far none of the meds I have been on control my mania. The highs and lows have gotten worse in the last few years. I am on a new med. I hope it works. I am on three meds now for the mania.

My Pdoc seems to be TRYING to give me mania. I guess it's better than depression is all I can say. I'm getting stuff "done" just don't know half the time whether I'm living in a dream world, or if there is any realism to my dreams.

[argv]

Originally Posted by Merlin

I have found meds to be the keystone in my recovery, but, like an arch, other stones are necessary to remain stable (or recover.) Sleep hygiene is important, but I still stuggle with over or under-sleeping. I am getting better with diet, but still need to focus on it. I am finally exercising regularly and hopefully I will keep it up. Another very important thing for me is socializing. Some days I socialize mainly at work and others days I (also) get together with friends and family. Some days my socializing is here at PC (though I find that that is not enough in the longer term.) I also need to pursue goals based on my passions. It's a detailed formula, but it's worth it.

I hear ya. I'm trying to concentrate on doing something positive with the disorder. I write some pretty good music, if not depressing, but I think it's good nonetheless. Whether it's 'appreciated' by the normal society is another story.. but I think true musicians and artists could appreciate it.

[argv]

Originally Posted by tcmoon52

For me, I learned the hard way about exercise. I do everthing to extremes. I think it knocked out some of my meds. I constantly cycled. The thing that has worked best for me is a very simple life. I am at the other end of where you are. I have raised my daughters, and I am now on SSDI, so simplifing my life was quite easy. Probablly no help to you.

I HAVE to have a simple life. I can't take much. Stress is my mortal enemy, and socializing gives me stress, but I have to go do it or I'll get worse. I just hate that I can't truly relate to anyone.

[thickntired]

Originally Posted by tcmoon52

For me, I learned the hard way about exercise. I do everthing to extremes. I think it knocked out some of my meds. I constantly cycled. The thing that has worked best for me is a very simple life. I am at the other end of where you are. I have raised my daughters, and I am now on SSDI, so simplifing my life was quite easy. Probablly no help to you.

My approval for SSDI and leaving the corporate world in general helped me find more stability. And I smoke a lot of pot lol.